Answer
Technological advances may soon enable the editing of human genes, leading to the possibility of so-called “designer babies.” While the Bible doesn’t specifically mention designer babies, it affirms that God sovereignly forms life in the womb according to His design and for His glory. As the psalmist declares, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13, ESV). The implication of this verse, and others like it, is that altering the DNA of a healthy unborn child through scientific experiments is irresponsible and unwise.
As medical technologies have accelerated in recent years, they have given rise to new ethical concerns. In the mid-twentieth century, scientists discovered methods to support life in the womb, including performing blood transfusions and treating heart defects. However, in the past decade, the focus has shifted away from supporting fetal development for the purpose of promoting optimal health. Instead, the focus has become engineering fetal development for preventative and cosmetic purposes. These techniques include editing the genes of unborn children, potentially altering their biological makeup.
Advocates of gene-editing innovations argue that these technologies have the potential to create unprecedented benefits for human life. For the first time in history, genes that are linked to diseases like cancer and birth defects such as spina bifida could potentially be edited or deleted while the child is still in the womb. Furthermore, scientists could theoretically enhance traits such as cognitive abilities and physical strength. The path to these outcomes may lie in emerging technologies like CRISPR—a DNA-editing system—that could allow scientists or parents to select traits such as their child’s gender, height, weight, skin color, hair color, and eye color. Moreover, some suggest that artificial intelligence could accelerate the ability to modify more complex traits like a child’s intelligence and personality. It’s unclear how soon designer babies will become a reality, but many believe these hypothetical outcomes will eventually come to fruition.
Despite the potential benefits some tout, the Bible warns against questioning—let alone altering—God’s design of unborn life (Isaiah 45:9; Romans 9:20). Although some children may be born with diseases or disabilities because it’s a fallen world, the Bible teaches that God uses adverse circumstances for His redemptive purposes. For example, when the disciples asked why a certain man was born blind, Jesus responded, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 9:3, ESV). Gene-editing technology is a dangerous pursuit that could harm an unborn child and eclipse the work that God wants to do through his or her physical imperfections.
As DNA technology and in vitro fertilization (IVF) made significant advancements in the mid-to-late twentieth century, speculation arose regarding the possibility of designer babies. Recognizing the ethical and safety concerns involved in such experimentation, many countries around the world passed laws prohibiting the use of gene-altering techniques on embryos. Even in countries researching CRISPR technology, laws have established clear boundaries to prevent genetic experimentation on unborn children. Additionally, many Christians express concern about IVF in general, as this process creates embryonic human lives with the knowledge that the majority of them will be destroyed.
In summary, as the psalmist declares, the Bible affirms that God is the designer of human life: “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16). The original Hebrew term translated as “unformed body” refers to the embryonic stage of life in the womb. Additionally, according to Jeremiah, God’s intimate knowledge of a person begins even before the embryonic and fetal stages of development: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5).
So, the Bible condemns the pursuit of gene-editing technologies that aim to create designer babies. Such an objective violates God’s sovereign design over unborn human life.
